Inflatable extremity elevation device

ABSTRACT

An inflatable extremity elevation device is provided. The device includes an outer shell which forms an inflatable air chamber. The outer shell includes a support surface extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end. An adjustable attachment mechanism can be arranged on the outer shell. From the proximal end to the elevated distal end, the support surface can form a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar support surface portion, and a convex support surface portion. The adjustable attachment mechanism can secure a portion of an extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion such that a distal jointed portion of the extremity can naturally come to rest on the convex support surface portion. The device helps prevent excessive pre- and post-operative swelling of an extremity by allowing the extremity to heal in a natural elevated resting position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate to an inflatable extremity elevation device. In particular, the present teachings relate to a lightweight, compact, and comfortable inflatable extremity elevator device that can help prevent excessive pre- and post-operative swelling of an extremity, such as an upper arm, by allowing the extremity to heal in a natural elevated resting position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been medically proven that the elevation of an extremity, such as an injured hand, following an operation or accident is beneficial for wound healing, recovery of function, and patient comfort. By elevating the hand while a patient is sitting or recumbent, a nearly continuous balance against hematoma and edema fluid formation can be provided.

Various types of braces and supports have been provided for retaining extremities in an elevated position with respect to the rest of the patient's body. Such known extremity elevating devices include slings, overhead hooks, pillows, splints, foam supports, and others. However, these known hand elevating devices are generally very confining, bulky, and uncomfortable as they do not allow the extremity to be held in a natural resting position. This has resulted in complaints and discourages patient compliance.

More commonly used foam supports are rigid, not durable, not reusable, hyper-allergenic, readily host infections, and are extremely bulky making them uncomfortable to use and cumbersome to store.

Known inflatable supports do not promote patient compliance as they are uncomfortable to wear as they lock the elbow into a rigid, non-natural position. The elbow is locked by surrounding the sides of the forearm and upper arm with lateral chamber sections. Moreover, the wrist and hand of the patient are not provided with a resting surface providing additional discomfort. Such an inflatable support is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,809 to Meals.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a pre- and post- operative extremity elevation device that is durable, lightweight, compact, storable, easily maintained, and comfortable thereby encouraging patient compliance by not imparting undue strain or discomfort on the effected body area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings disclose an inflatable extremity elevation device that helps prevent excessive pre- and post-operative swelling of the extremity by allowing the extremity to heal in a natural elevated resting position.

According to an embodiment of the present teachings, an inflatable extremity elevation device can include an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber and defining a support surface having a length extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof. An adjustable attachment mechanism can be arranged on the outer shell. From the proximal end to the elevated distal end, the support surface can form a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar support surface portion, and a convex support surface portion. The adjustable attachment mechanism can be capable of securing a portion of an extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion such that a distal jointed portion of the extremity can bend and naturally come to rest on the convex support surface portion.

According to another embodiment of the present teachings, an extremity elevation device can include an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber. The outer shell can include an undulating support surface having a length extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof. From the proximal end to the distal end, the support surface can form a proximal support surface portion, a substantially planar angled support surface portion, and a convex elevated support surface portion. The convex elevated support surface portion can be curved with respect to the substantially planar angled support surface portion to allow a natural cascade of a wrist and hand to fall onto the convex elevated support surface portion when a forearm is secured against the substantially planar angled support surface and an elbow is movably supported on the proximal support surface portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present teachings, an inflatable extremity elevation device can include an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber. The outer shell can define a support surface extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof. The support surface can form a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar angled support surface portion, and a convex elevated support surface portion from the proximal end to the elevated distal end. An adjustable attachment mechanism can be arranged on the outer shell about the substantially planar angled support surface portion. The outer shell can include a planar bottom side and the substantially planar angled support surface portion can form an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable extremity elevation device of the present teachings attached to the upper extremity of a patient;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the extremity elevation device of the present teachings;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the extremity elevation device of the present teachings;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the extremity elevation device of the present teachings;

FIG. 5 is front view of the extremity elevation device of the present teachings;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the extremity elevation device of the present teachings; and

FIG. 7 is another right side view of the extremity elevation device of the present teachings showing the dimensions of the device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an inflatable extremity elevation device 20 of the present teachings is shown affixed to an upper extremity, or arm, A, of a patient. The inflatable extremity elevation device 20 provides support for the patient's arm A with the hand H elevated such that the hand and elbow are in a natural resting position. The inflatable extremity elevation device 20 can also be used to support the lower extremities of a patient. By securely elevating the extremity and providing cushioned support in a natural resting position, the inflatable extremity elevation device 20 of the present teachings can achieve pre- and post- operative edema control while promoting patient compliance.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inflatable extremity elevation device 20 includes an outer shell 30 which defines an air chamber 40 having a generally L-shaped cushion configuration in an inflated condition.

As shown in FIG. 3, the generally L-shaped inflatable outer shell 30 is formed by a generally horizontally extending base member 34 and a generally upwardly extending angled support member 38. The L-shaped inflatable outer shell 30 can also include a back support member 42 which is arranged behind the angled support member 38 to provide support thereto. Each of the base member 34, angled support member 38, and back support member 42 can be arranged in fluid communication with one another. In such a configuration, the inflatable extremity elevation device 20 can define a single air chamber 40 that can be quickly and easily inflated for patient use, and quickly and easily deflated for storage.

Referring to FIG. 3, the distal end portion of the angled support member 38 can integrally form an extremity rest area 46. As will be discussed below, the extremity rest area 46 forms a curved surface against which a patient's hand H, for example, can be supported in an elevated and naturally angled position with respect to the patient's forearm. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, at the extremity rest area 46, the extremity elevation device 20 can include a user accessible valve 50. The valve 50 can be a manually actuated valve which allows manual inflation or deflation of the air chamber 40 by the user.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, at the extremity rest area 46, the extremity elevation device 20 can also include an automatic or self-inflation mechanism 54. The automatic self-inflation mechanism 54 can include, for example, a carbon dioxide cylinder. A user accessible pull cord 58 can be provided to allow user activation of the automatic inflation mechanism 54. Since the base member 34, angled support member 38, and back support member 42 can be arranged in fluid communication with each other, activation of the automatic inflation mechanism 54 can result in quick self-inflation of the extremity elevation device 20. When the manual valve 50 is opened, the inflatable armrest 20 can be quickly and easily deflated, and then folded and stored.

The manually operated valve 50 and/or the automatic inflation mechanism 54 can be arranged to be conveniently tucked away or secured within the extremity rest area 46. While the manually operated valve 50 and the automatic inflation mechanism 54 are shown being arranged in the extremity rest area 46 of the angled support member 38, they could be arranged in other portions of the extremity elevation device 20.

The inflatable outer shell 30 may be formed by a plurality of flexible panels of sheet material. The panels of sheet material can be made of any composition that can be readily cleaned, for example, any plastic material such as vinyl. Examples of medical grade plastics include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and non-DEHP), polypropylene (PP), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) based flexible sheets. The sheet material can be transparent.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, vertically arranged side panels 22, 24 of sheet material can define the sides of the outer shell 30 of the extremity elevation device 20. The side panels 22, 24 define the exterior shape of the base member 34 and of the angled support member 38. The outer shell 30 also includes one or more panels 26 of sheet material that extend between the side panels 22, 24. The panels 26 are joined to the side panels 22, 24 along the outer edges of the side panels 22, 24. The panels 26 define the top, bottom, front and back, and define the width, W, of the extremity elevation device 20. The panels 26 provide a support surface 60 upon which a patient's extremity can be supported in a natural resting position, as will be described in more detail below. Additional panels, 82, 84, 86 of sheet material can be arranged to form the back support member 42, see FIGS. 3 and 4. At mating corners of each of the panels, the sheet material can be joined and fused together in an air-tight manner to form the air chamber 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, a length of the support surface 60 can extend from a proximal end 62 at a front face 36 of the base member 34 to a distal end 72 at the elevated end of the angled support member 38. From a side view as shown in FIG. 3, the support surface 60 defines an undulating surface having a generally hook-shape which is shaped to support the extremity in a natural resting position. The base member 34 forms a cup or concave support surface portion 64 at the proximal end of the support surface 60. Moving along the length of the support surface 60, the angled support member 38 forms a substantially planar support surface portion 66. At the extremity rest area 46 at the distal end of the angled support member 38, the support surface 60 curves and forms a convex support surface portion 68.

In an inflated condition of the extremity elevation device 20, at any point along the length of the support surface 60 from the proximal end 62 to the distal end 72, the support surface 60 is generally straight or flat as measured across the width W of the extremity elevation device 20. On a portion or on the entirety of the length of the support surface 60, a cushion 80 can be applied or adhered thereto. For example, the cushion 80 can be applied to the surface of the base member 34 starting from a proximal end 62 and can extend to the distal end 72 of the angled support member 38, see FIGS. 3 and 6. Accordingly, the cushion 80 can extend along the concave support surface portion 64, the planar support surface portion 66, and the convex support surface portion 68. The cushion 80 can be applied as a single integral piece or as several separate pieces and can cover all or a portion of the width of the support surface 66. Cushioning 80 can be applied or adhered to other surfaces of the extremity elevation device 20, such as on a front face 36 or on a bottom side 32 of the base member 34.

The cushion 80 can be made of any soft, compressible, resilient material which does not degrade when exposed to moisture or friction, and can be breathable to increase patient comfort. The cushion can be made of a viscoelastic material, such as a high-resiliency, high-density memory foam, or similar material. For example, the cushion 80 can be made of a memory-type elastomer that is capable of permanently or temporarily retaining the shape applied to it over a period of time. Such a memory material can include viscoelastic polyurethane foam or T-FOAM (made by Alimed, Inc. of Dedham, Mass.).

A patient's extremity, such as an arm A, can be secured against the cushioned support surface 60 by one or more straps 70. In particular, in the secured position, the patient's forearm can be secured against the angled support member 38 by the one or more straps 70 while the patient's elbow is allowed to freely sit within or against the concave support surface portion 64 and come to rest in a natural resting position. At the same time, the patient's hand is allowed to freely bend at the wrist and naturally lay on the convex support surface 68 in a natural resting position.

The end of the one or more straps 70 can be secured to a panel on one side of the extremity elevation device 20 and one or more corresponding D-rings 72 can be arranged on an opposite side of the extremity elevation device 20. The one or more straps 70 can be provided with hook and loop-type fasteners which allow the straps 70 to adjust and secure a portion of a patient's extremity, such as a forearm, against the cushioned planar support surface portion 66.

The support surface 60 forms an open resting surface for an extremity. In other words, the open resting support surface 60 does not provide lateral support to any part of the extremity. Such a lateral support would confine or prevent movement of the extremity and lead to the accumulation moisture, both of which would result in patient discomfort.

The open resting surface along the concave support surface portion 64 and the flexible nature of the inflatable extremity elevation device 20 allows a patient's elbow to freely move within a range of motion and to come to rest in a natural resting position. A natural resting position for an elbow can be from about 95° to about 105°, and is preferably about 100° , as measured by the obtuse angle formed between the forearm and the upper arm. At the same time, the open resting surface allows a patient's wrist and hand to move within a range of motion and to come to rest in a natural resting position onto the convex support surface portion 68. A natural resting position for the wrist and hand can be from about 165° to about 170°, and is preferably about 167.5°, as measured by the obtuse angle formed between the forearm and the wrist/hand.

By allowing the patent's elbow, wrist, and hand to come to rest in a natural resting position, the open resting support surface 60 provides a high level of comfort to the patient. Moreover, the open support surface 60 along with the use of one or more adjustable straps 70 allows bandage of all sizes to fit comfortably with the elevation device 20 of the present teachings.

The shape of the extremity elevation device 20 of the present teachings allows a patient's extremity to be supported in the natural resting positions as discussed above. Referring to FIG. 7, the planar support surface portion 66 of the angled support member 38 can be arranged to extend at an obtuse angle, X, with respect to the horizontal bottom side 32 of the base member 34. This obtuse angle, X, can be from about 100° to about 110°, and preferably can be about 105°.

The concave support surface portion 64 can have a curvature and can form a portion of a flexible wall at the proximal end 62. The wall can have a flexibility such that when a patient's elbow is arranged within or on the concave support surface portion 64, the elbow can be freely moved between at least the angles defining the range of a natural resting position for an elbow, i.e. from about 95° to about 105°, as discussed above. A height HB, as measured from the horizontal bottom side 32 of the base member 34 to the highest portion of the proximal end 62 of the concave support surface portion 64 can be about 3.625 inches to about 4.625 inches, and can preferably be about 4.125 inches. Moreover, the concave support surface portion 64 can be arranged to extend at an angle, Y, with respect to the horizontal bottom side 32 of the base member 34. This angle, Y, can be from about 55° to about 65°, and preferably can be about 60°.

The extremity rest area 46 at the distal end of the angled support member 38 can be in the shape of a cylinder. The cylindrical shape of the extremity rest area 46 provides increased support at the convex support surface portion 68. The extremity rest area 46 can have a diameter D, of from about 2.625 inches to about 3.625 inches, and preferable a diameter of about 3.125 inches. In other words, the convex support surface portion 68 can have a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches, and preferably about 1.500 inches. The cylindrical shape of the extremity rest area 46 operates to curve the support surface 60 and allow a patient's hand H, for example, to rest in a natural cascade against the curvature of the convex support surface portion 68. The curvature of the extremity rest area 46 can be arranged such that the patient's wrist can be moved between at least the angles defining the range of a natural resting position of a wrist, from about 165° to about 170°, as discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 5, the width W of the device 20 can be from about 6 inches to about 8 inches, and preferably is about 7 inches. The height H of the device 20 can be from about 13 inches to about 15 inches, and preferably about 14 inches. Referring to FIG. 7, the depth D of the device 20 can be from about 11 inches to about 13 inches, and preferably about 12 inches. The depth DB of the base member 34 can be from about 9.500 inches to about 11.500 inches, and preferably about 10.500 inches.

The extremity elevation device 20 of the present teachings improves patient compliance by allowing an extremity to be securely elevated and to rest in a natural resting position. The shape of the base member 34 and of the angled support member 38 allows an elbow and wrist to be moved while a forearm is secured in the extremity elevation device 20. The angled support member 38 and convex support surface portion 68 are arranged to provide a natural resting surface for the wrist and hand. By securely elevating an extremity and providing cushioned support, the inflatable extremity elevation device 20 of the present teachings can achieve pre- and post- operative edema control. By making the inflatable outer shell out of a plastic material makes the extremity elevation device 20 durable, lightweight, compact, storable, easily maintained, and hypo-allergenic. The design of the extremity elevation device 20 of the present teachings encourages patient compliance by not imparting undue strain or discomfort on the effected extremity.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing description that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. 

1. An inflatable extremity elevation device comprising: an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber and defining a support surface having a length extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof; and an adjustable attachment mechanism arranged on the outer shell; wherein from the proximal end to the elevated distal end, the support surface forms a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar support surface portion, and a convex support surface portion; and wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism is capable of securing a portion of an extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion such that a distal jointed portion of the extremity can bend and naturally come to rest on the convex support surface portion.
 2. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 1, wherein the concave support surface portion is arranged to receive a proximal jointed portion of the extremity and allow it to bend and naturally come to rest thereon when the adjustable attachment mechanism secures a portion of the extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion.
 3. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 1, wherein at any point along the length of the support surface, the support surface is flat as measured across a width thereof in an inflated condition of the outer shell.
 4. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 1, wherein a breathable cushion is arranged along at least a portion of the length of the support surface.
 5. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes a planar bottom side and the substantially planar support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.
 6. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 5, wherein the substantially planar support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 100° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.
 7. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 1, wherein the convex support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches.
 8. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 7, wherein the convex support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.500 inches.
 9. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 1, wherein the outer shell forms a single inflatable air chamber and supports a self-inflation mechanism.
 10. An extremity elevation device comprising: an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber, the outer shell including an undulating support surface having a length extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof; wherein from the proximal end to the distal end, the support surface forms a proximal support surface portion, a substantially planar angled support surface portion, and a convex elevated support surface portion; and wherein the convex elevated support surface portion is curved with respect to the substantially planar angled support surface portion to allow a natural cascade of a wrist and hand to fall onto the convex elevated support surface portion when a forearm is secured against the substantially planar angled support surface and an elbow is movably supported on the proximal support surface portion.
 11. The extremity elevation device of claim 10, wherein the proximal support surface portion is concave in shape.
 12. The extremity elevation device of claim 10, wherein the outer shell includes a planar bottom side and the substantially planar elevated support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.
 13. The extremity elevation device of claim 12, wherein the substantially planar elevated support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 100° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.
 14. The extremity elevation device of claim 10, wherein the convex elevated support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches.
 15. The extremity elevation device of claim 14, wherein the convex elevated support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.500 inches.
 16. The extremity elevation device of claim 10, wherein the outer shell forms a single inflatable air chamber and supports a self-inflation mechanism.
 17. An inflatable extremity elevation device comprising: an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber and defining a support surface extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof, the support surface forming a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar angled support surface portion, and a convex elevated support surface portion from the proximal end to the elevated distal end; an adjustable attachment mechanism arranged on the outer shell about the substantially planar angled support surface portion; wherein the outer shell includes a planar bottom side and the substantially planar angled support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.
 18. The inflatable extremity elevation device of claim 17, wherein the convex elevated support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches.
 19. The extremity elevation device of claim 17, wherein the outer shell forms a single inflatable air chamber and supports a self-inflation mechanism.
 20. The extremity elevation device of claim 17, wherein a breathable cushion is arranged along at least a portion of a length of the support surface. 